Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy resulting from metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach

Pathol Int. 2007 Jun;57(6):383-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2007.02111.x.

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy is an unusual malignancy-related respiratory complication characterized by multiple microthrombi and intimal myofibroblast proliferation. Its clinical manifestation is subacute respiratory failure with pulmonary hypertension. Herein is reported a case of pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy associated with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. A 51-year-old woman with gastric cancer died of subacute respiratory failure. Autopsy showed gastric signet ring cell carcinoma with diffuse metastasis of pulmonary lymphatics and pleurae; every organ examined lacked a space-occupying tumor mass. Histologically, proliferated intimal myofibroblasts obliterated most of the pulmonary vascular lumen, and a few stenosed vascular lumina contained cancer cells. In addition, pulmonary vasculature associated with intimal proliferation contained microthrombi. Most cancer cells in the stomach and pulmonary lymphatics were typical signet ring cells, whereas those in vascular lesions were cells of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma without mucous production. Consistent with a previous report, the latter expressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF). The proliferated intimal myofibroblasts also expressed type 2A serotonin receptor (5-HT(2A)). These findings suggest that local expression of VEGF, TF, and 5-HT(2A) may be linked to the pathogenesis of this unusual pulmonary complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / secondary*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / pathology
  • Lung / blood supply*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Microcirculation / metabolism
  • Microcirculation / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / metabolism
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / complications
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thromboembolism / pathology
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Thromboplastin